Keyless car owners are being urged to keep their fobs in the FREEZER to stop thieves from hacking into their cars.

Crime gangs have been targeting high-end keyless vehicles using a device which bypasses the car’s electronics.

Using special equipment - which is only intended for mechanics - thieves are managing to intercept the signal which passes between the fob and the car and gain access to it.

But owners are now being told they are able to stop these thefts by putting their electronic keys in the freezer - as this stops the signal from being intercepted.

Abby Taubin, who is the chair of Southwark Neighbourhood Watch, in South London, said: “While waiting for technology to catch up with crooks the advice to car owners is to keep your electronic keys in your freezer, where hacking devices cannot talk to them.”

She issued the warning after a survey revealed Dulwich had become the burglary capital of Britain.

Abby added: “The point is that the police cannot lock your doors and windows properly or stand with you holding your hand and privately watching your property.

“Neighbourhood Watch is about standing up and forward and looking at the next way we’re scammed and tricked electronically.

“All the new stuff we have to wrap our heads around have bad guys looking for new ways to break in.”

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Typically these fobs are able to unlock a car within about 30cm.

But the car is constantly trying to reach out and touch this key - and when it finds it, people are able to open the door without touching the car or using a key.

Thieves have cottoned on to this and have been using amplifiers to take the signal from the car and project it as far as 100m.

This means the car will be able to find the key fob almost anywhere around a home and then the extended signal can be intercepted to unlock the vehicle.

But if the keys are kept in the freezer - or even a microwave - the metal around them will help stop the signal from being picked up.

Some key fobs need to be kept at room temperature to avoid ruining their batteries so owners need to double check with their car dealer first.

But alternatively they can also wrap them up in tin foil to do the same job.

Sensible option: Foil (Image: Getty)

A spokesman for the Met Police added: “The Met continue to work closely with their partners nationally to target those organised criminals, wherever they operate, and continue to share intelligence on the crime and those committing it in other parts of the UK with other police services.

“The organised Vehicle Crime Unit - the Met’s central team responsible for investigating car thefts in London - continue to work closely with the car industry in an attempt to design out vehicle crime.”

In the meantime advice is being given to keyless car owners to better protect their vehicles.

They should park their vehicle in well-lit areas, in front of CCTV cameras or in a garage if they have one.

Owners should also fit an alarm or immobiliser and a tracker so police can trace the vehicle if it is stolen.

Other methods include using a steering wheel or gearstick lock and fitting an on-board diagnostics lock.